Zeljko Obradovic is one of the founders of the Euroleague Coaches Board (EHCB) and a regular lecturer at clinics organized by this association.
Ahead of the gathering in Athens, where he returned this week after 14 years, Zeljko Obradovic gave an interview for EHCB and explained in which situations he stops a practice and tells a player to leave the gym.
“The team is much more important than any individual. That is the first and most important thing. Nobody is more important than the team, than team spirit and the chemistry within the group,” said the nine-time EuroLeague champion and current head coach of Panathinaikos.
“Many times during the season it happens that a player comes and you see he is not feeling well for whatever reason, and then he starts to work poorly. I call him and tell him: ‘Go outside, don’t worry.’
And I always tell players: ‘If you are not feeling well before practice, don’t train. It is fine, you will miss one practice, no problem.’ Because if he starts during practice to affect a teammate, to talk to him, then another one starts, and another one, and another one… That is not good,” Obradovic explained, and added:
“That is the first rule that has no discussion.”
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“We have only one life…”
He then continued, noting that basketball is changing, and so is the character of players.
“The team is always first. After that we have our rules. Today it is not simple, but you must insist on it. Everything has changed because a few years ago we got players’ associations, coaches’ associations, referees’ associations. That is normal, to protect ourselves. And that is a very good thing,” said Obradovic and added:
“But players sometimes do not understand that, besides the rights they have, they also have obligations. Do you understand? And you have to talk to them about that.”
He also added:
“I am very happy during the season every time I have the opportunity to give them one day off. Or even two. Because I know how important it is for a person’s head — to not see each other for a while, to go and do something else. We only have one life. We are human beings. These are young people, they want to go out, to socialize. All of that is understandable.”
Zeljko will not only be lecturing in Athens this summer, but also in Belgrade at the 25th edition of the “Dušan Ivkovic Basketball Clinic”. It will be held in the Serbian capital on Saturday and Sunday, with Obradovic’s lecture scheduled for the first day.
Why coach Zeljko Obradovic may say to one of his player to miss a practice?
— EuroLeague Head Coaches Board – EHCB (@HeadCoachesOrg) June 23, 2026
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